Hazing

Wentworth Institute of Technology does not tolerate any form of hazing. In compliance with the Commonwealth of Massachusetts’ Anti-Hazing Statute (M.G.L. Ch. 269, §§ 17, 18 and 19), Wentworth Institute of Technology annually provides each student with a copy of the state law and requires officers of student organizations to distribute a copy to all its members. A copy of the law is available in Appendix A of the Student Organization Manual, and is also available in the Center for Student Engagement.

The law defines hazing as “any conduct or method of initiation into any student organization, whether on public or private property, which willfully or recklessly endangers the physical or mental health of any student or other person. Such conduct shall include whipping, beating, branding, forced calisthenics, exposure to the weather, forced consumption of any food, liquor, beverage, drug or other substance, or any other brutal treatment or forced physical activity which is likely to adversely affect the physical health or safety of any such student or other person, or which subjects such student or other person to extreme mental stress, including extended deprivation of sleep or rest or extended isolation. Notwithstanding any other provisions of this section to the contrary, consent shall not be available as a defense to any prosecution under this action.”

Punishment for an organizer or participant in hazing is a $3,000 fine and/or imprisonment in a house of correction for not more than one year. Punishment (Section 18) for failure to report hazing to the extent “such person can do so without danger or peril to himself or others,” is also a crime and subject to a fine of $1,000.00.

All student organizations are required to review the law annually with all members. If you have any questions regarding the law, discuss them with a member of the Center for Student Engagement.